The Ministry of Defense (MoD) on Sunday said it has tasked security commanders to probe reports that civilians were killed in Chardara district of Kunduz during an air raid launched by foreign forces on Friday.

According to the ministry of defense’s spokesman, Dawlat Waziri, army officials have not yet confirmed the death of civilians in the air raid.

According to them, a number of Taliban fighters were killed in the operation.

“We achieved major gains out of this operation, but the minister of defense has directed the commanders to probe whether civilians were killed or not,” said Waziri.

Meanwhile, a number of lawmakers in parliament and residents of Chardara district in Kunduz have said many civilians were killed in the province during an air strike conducted by the foreign forces.

According to reports, several wounded people were taken to Kunduz hospital for treatment. These casualties claimed that civilians were also killed in the air raid.

However there are no exact numbers regarding casualties.

“The bombardment started in the morning and houses were destroyed,” said one Chardara resident from Kunduz hospital.

“Four members of my family were killed, what is the importance of life for me now, where must I go now,” said another resident of Chardara district.

“Fifty to 60 people were killed, all houses were demolished, nothing is left there,” said another Chardara resident, Ghulam Rasul.

Kunduz residents meanwhile have said that heavy fighting broke out between Afghan security forces and the Taliban in at least four villages in Chardara district four days ago. They said that ongoing battles have left at least three hundred families homeless.

“There was a tragedy, at least 45 people were killed,” senator Abdullah Qarloq said.

“The bombardment continued for the whole night, my niece and nephews were killed,” said another resident Mohammad Tahir.

Officials at Kunduz hospital have confirmed that one body was taken to the hospital along with six wounded people.

“Houses were destroyed and 350 people became homeless,” said Khush Mohammad Nusrat Yar, a member of Kunduz provincial council.

“We have recorded one death and six wounded since last night,” said Naeem Mangal, head of Kunduz hospital.

The defense ministry has claimed that the Taliban sustained heavy losses during an anti-terror operation in the area that was launched on Tuesday in Chardara .

But the Taliban has dismissed the claims and said none of its fighters were killed but that civilians lost their lives in the air raids.